Join a cohort of dedicated conservationists, citizen scientists and volunteers as we work to protect water, wildlife and wild places. From litter sweeps to workshops on scientific and social topics, there are ways for everyone to get involved in your community and beyond.
Upcoming Events
Cherry Point Boat Landing Sweep
Sunday, October 6, 2–3:30 p.m. | Cherry Point Road, Wadmalaw Island
Bring the whole family to this beautifully located litter sweep hosted by Keep Wadmalaw Beautiful and the South Carolina Aquarium. Bring a reusable water bottle and dress for the weather including shoes you don’t mind getting a little bit dirty. The Cherry Point Boat Landing is tucked away at the end of Boat Landing Alley (off Cherry Point Road) and is where we will gather before spreading out to remove litter from the marsh, road and parking areas. All supplies and instructions will be provided to conduct a litter sweep with data collection.
Learn more HERE.
Charleston Green Drinks: Green Social
Thursday, October 10, 6–8 p.m. | 4831 O’Hear Avenue, North Charleston
Meet and socialize with local conservation organizations at Commonhouse Aleworks. Enjoy informal conversations and check out the action board for ways to get involved.
Learn more HERE.
Isle of Palms Monthly Beach Sweep
Monday, October 14, 4:30–5:30 p.m. | 1100 Block Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms
Join these monthly beach sweeps on Isle of Palms with the IOP Cleanup Crew. Sign in and pick up supplies at the public beach walkover where we will provide instructions for volunteers to participate in a litter sweep with data collection. No advance registration is required. Please note: the start time has been moved up to adjust for shorter daylight hour.
Good Catch Experience: Cooking Up Conservation
Thursday, October 17, 6–8 p.m. | South Carolina Aquarium
In our inaugural, all-inclusive Good Catch Experience, renowned chef Sammy Monsour and mixologist Kassady Wiggins — coauthors of the recently released cookbook, “Salt & Shore: Recipes from the Coastal South” — will supply sustainably sourced small bites and a specialty cocktail as they share their perspective in a culinary conversation surrounded by the aquatic ambiance of the Aquarium. They’ll be joined by industry experts — Dr. Sara McDonald, director of conservation at the South Carolina Aquarium; Tom Bierce, owner from Charleston Oyster Farm; Tia Clark, owner of Casual Crabbing with Tia; and Louden Porter, Good Catch coordinator at the South Carolina Aquarium — to discuss the current state of sustainable seafood and how you can craft your own recipe for conservation action. General admission tickets are $45 and member tickets are $40; a beer and wine bar is included.
Buy tickets HERE.
Kiawah Island Litter Sweep
Saturday, October 19, 9–11 a.m. | 876 Kiawah Island Parkway, Kiawah Island
Kiawah Conservancy and the South Carolina Aquarium are hosting monthly litter sweeps at Mingo Point. Volunteers will choose a sweep location on the island, disperse for their cleanup and then return to drop off supplies and share their impact. Get involved to keep litter and plastic pollution from entering our environment.
Sign up for sweep reminders HERE.
Toby’s Spooktacular Sweep
Sunday, October 27, 1–3 p.m. | Various locations throughout Folly Beach
Calling all mummies, goblins, witches and ghouls! Don your sweet or scary Halloween costume and join Toby Turtle and the South Carolina Aquarium for this annual litter sweep! This fangtastic team effort will help keep litter and plastic pollution off the streets and out of the waterways of Folly Beach.
Sign up for a sweep location HERE.
Conservation in Action
- Capers Island Cleanup Excursion
- Chicora Changers Beach Sweep at Isle of Palms
- Tidal Creek Excavation with SCDNR SCORE
- Folly Beach Litter Sweep Event
- King Tide Flooding Measurement at SeaRise Sign in Charleston
- Marsh Grass Planting in Maryville
- Shem Creek Litter Sweep with J. B. Edwards Elementary
- Saltmarsh Sweep with Charleston Waterkeeper
- MLK Day of Service Litter Sweep and Food Drive
- Liberty Square Litter Sweep
Your Data Matters!
Want to be a true citizen scientist? Litter data is critical in identifying the most problematic debris and can be a powerful tool in helping to develop solutions for reducing trash. We encourage litter sweep participants to log the items they pick up from land and water. Help be part of the solution by using the Litter Journal, a project in the South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science app, when you sweep in your community.
The South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science app is available in the App Store and on Google Play.